Dental Care During Pregnancy

Why is Professional Dental Care Important During Pregnancy?

• Pregnant women with chronic gum disease are four to seven times more likely to have a premature baby. (The journal of the American Dental Association)
• Gum disease in pregnant women can also cause low birthweight in their babies. (The journal of the American Dental Association and the U.S National Library of Medicine)

Preterm delivery is the major cause of neonatal mortality and of nearly half of all serious long-term neurological conditions.

• Mortality rates in the first month of the life (the neonatal period) are 40 times higher among premature and low-birthweight babies. Those infants who survive the first month (the neonatal period) face a higher risk of several neurodevelopment disturbances, health problems (such as asthma, upper and lower respiratory infections and ear infections) and birth defects, disorders or malformations.
• Gum (periodontal) disease is common among pregnant women because pregnancy causes hormonal changes that bring an increased risk for this disease.
• Pregnancy gingivitis is a type of gum disease that causes swelling, tenderness and bleeding when you brush or floss. Studies report that 40% of pregnant women experience gingivitis.
• Pregnant women are more likely to develop gingivitis because the increased levels of progesterone that accompany pregnancy cause an exaggerated response to plaque bacteria. This is true even for pregnant women who practice good oral care.
• Pregnant women can experience pregnancy tumors—non-cancerous growths that appear on the gums, typically during the second trimester: Believed to be caused by excess plaque, they can bleed easily.

What Should you do? - Visit Dental Xperts

• As soon as you find out you are pregnant, see your dentist for a professional cleaning and an evaluation of your gums.
• Brush at least twice a day, floss once a day and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to prevent pregnancy gingivitis.
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
• Frequent cleaning during pregnancy will enable your dentist to monitor the health of your gums and address any problems that arise.
• Continue to see your dentist after delivery and take your child for his/her first visit at the age of 12 months.